Phil Rothfield: Highlights, lowlights, talking points from weekend action

MONDAY BUZZ: THE HORRIBLE treatment of Yvonne Sampson by Rabbitohs fans, a Phil Gould text exchange and Kenny Edwards’ grubbery.

Kenny Edwards should have copped two weeks for his dog shot.

SHOCKING abuse of Yvonne Sampson, a Phil Gould text exchange and Kenny Edwards’ grubbery.

HIGHLIGHT

We’ve seen many truly great rugby league players over the past 40 years, and Cameron Smith is as good as any of them. What a wonderful achievement in Melbourne yesterday to bring up his 350th game.

The Friday night footy feast with the Parramatta and Brisbane thriller followed by an equally exciting Swans against Hawthorn at the MCG are also worth mentioning.

More Buzz: Eels can be Broncos of the west

More Buzz: On-field violence ruining NRL

LOWLIGHT

Just when you thought the NRL was getting serious about foul play they fine Parramatta Eels forward Kenny Edwards a miserable $1500 for a shocking cheap shot in the game against the Broncos. It was a dog act that deserved a two-week suspension.

LOWLIGHT II

The disgusting abuse from feral South Sydney Rabbitohs fans on social media towards Fox Sports presenter Yvonne Sampson. What a bunch of cowards.

Sampson is not on Facebook but has been made aware of the comments.

The Daily Telegraph is seeking comment from Fox Sports Head of Television Steve Crawley

Yvonne Sampson. Picture: Fox Sports

SUNNY DISPOSITION

We texted Gus Gould to find out why he wouldn’t allow his players to wear the RLPA green tape in the game against the Bulldogs.

Buzz: Gus just wondering why you wouldn’t let your players wear the green tape.

Gus: This is what you wonder about on a sunny Sunday afternoon?

SPOTTED I

The one and only Cameron Smith with his son Jasper playing Auskick on the hallowed turf of the MCG during halftime of the Swans-Hawthorn game on Friday night.

Melbourne Storm skipper Cameron Smith high fives Hawthorn's Shaun Burgoyne as he forms part of the Auskick Guard of Honour. Pic: Michael Klein

SPOTTED II

The great Robbie Slater making a soccer comeback at North Sydney Oval on Saturday in a charity game to raise money for the Starlight foundation.

CYM-PLY GREAT

How’s this for a solid day’s work. Dubbo Cyms player Alex Bonham had country officials searching through the record books last night after scoring 64 points from eight tries and 16 goals in a 104-6 win over Wellington.

GIANT MISTAKE

Surely the NSW Government will ignore the outrageous calls from the GWS Giants to stop ANZ Stadium from becoming a rectangle. GWS’ home ground at Spotless Stadium holds 24,000 but is rarely even half full for home games. Their crowd on Saturday was just 11,000.

LET’S GO RETRO

What a shame the Parramatta-Canterbury game in retro round is being played on Thursday night. This game would get 35,000 on a Sunday afternoon at ANZ Stadium.

POWERFUL CHOOK

Is there a better bench forward running around than the Roosters’ powerhouse Sio Siua Taukeiaho? On Saturday night against the Cowboys he made 200 metres and had seven tackle busts.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho is in stunning form for the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

BUNNY BOIL

Surely coach Michael Maguire is under huge pressure at the South Sydney Rabbitohs after another dismal performance against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday night. Owner Russell Crowe did not respond to an email I sent him with questions about Maguire’s future.

360 VIEW

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to discuss all the big issues from the weekend round.